Recoil auger with clutch bearing

ABSTRACT

A recoil auger enables holes to be drilled by using only straight line motions of a person&#39;s hand, arm, and shoulder. The recoil auger is comprised of a recoil drive system connected to an output shaft, which in turn is connected to an auger. The recoil drive system has a recoil mechanism that imparts unidirectional rotation to the auger in response to bidirectional rotation of the recoil mechanism. The recoil mechanism includes a clutch bearing to unidirectionally rotate the auger. The recoil drive system has a handle that the person grasps during operation. Operation is achieved by pulling a rope wound around a rope wheel. A recoil spring rewinds the rope after a pulling motion. Multiple recoil mechanisms assembled to the output shaft and one or more suitable handles enable more than one person to operate the recoil auger at the same time.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/274,846, filed 15 Nov. 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to manually operated augers, and moreparticularly to apparatus that uses straight line manual motions torotate an auger.

2. Description of the Related Art

Augers for drilling in ice and earth are well known and in widespreaduse. Augers typically include a center shaft. A helical band with acutting edge at one end surrounds the center shaft. Rotating the centershaft causes the cutting edge to cut into the ice or earth. The helicalband pushes the cut material away from the cutting edge to make a hole.

Some prior augers were manually driven. Manual augers were usually lightweight, fairly inexpensive, and relatively easy to carry. An example ofa prior manual auger, which uses a crank and gear mechanism, may be seenin U.S. Pat. No. 1,294,098. U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,735 shows a foot poweredauger. Perhaps the classic example of prior manual augers is describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,393,282; 2,476,047; 3,051,253; 3,929,196; and5,038,870. Those five patents each show an offset handle connected to anauger center shaft. A person grasped the handle with one hand andsteadied the auger with the other hand. The person exerted his shoulderand arm muscles to produce a circular motion with his first hand, thusturning the handle and the auger.

When using a manual auger with an offset handle, multiple combinationsof forces had to be generated by the person for each revolution of hishand. Specifically, a first force was generated to pull the hand in afirst motion toward his body. Then the handle was forced across thefront of the body in a second motion. Then, the person had to push thehandle away from his body in a third motion. Finally, the person forcedthe handle across the front of his body in a fourth motion opposite thesecond motion. The process was repeated for each revolution of thehandle and auger.

Because of the nature of ice and earth, considerable effort was requiredto drill holes with offset handle augers. Ergonomically, it was verydifficult for most people to perform three of the four handle motions.The only motion that most people could complete with ease was the firstmotion of pulling the hand toward the body. That was a fairly naturalmotion during which most people could generate the maximum force withtheir arms and shoulder muscles. In general, younger, older, and otherpersons without adequate strength could not easily use the prior manualaugers.

To ease the task of drilling in ice and earth, power driven augers havebeen developed. A common power source was a gasoline engine thatconnected to the auger center shaft. Some augers were powered fromremote locations by suitable transmissions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,710,877;3,828,861; and 4,116,284 illustrate different kinds of remote powersources and associated transmissions. Japan patent application number1998000220506 teaches an auger powered by a motor and assembled to theend of a crane boom.

There are several disadvantages associated with power augers. Inaddition to being undesirably expensive, they are heavy and awkward tocarry. The engines are subject to environmental standards, includingemission controls and anti-noise ordinances. A related problem concernsthe odors emitted from the engine, which is only an arm's length fromthe user's face. The noise and emissions make it an unpleasant task todrill holes with power augers. Moreover, power augers develop hightorque, so safety is a major concern.

Thus, a need exists for improvements in ways to operate augers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a recoil auger with a clutchbearing is provided that requires a person to exert only bi-directionalstraight line motions of the person's hand, arm, and shoulder tooperate. This is accomplished by apparatus that includes a recoilmechanism that imparts unidirectional motion to an auger.

The auger has an auger shaft and a helical band around the shaft. Aworking end of the helical band at the auger first end is sharpened. Asecond end of the auger shaft is connected to the recoil mechanism. Therecoil mechanism is part of a recoil drive system that also includes ahousing and a handle.

According to one aspect of the invention, the housing is rotatablymounted to one end of a drive shaft, which may be either the auger shaftor a separate output shaft connected to the auger shaft. The recoilmechanism utilizes a one-way clutch bearing to impart unidirectionalmotion to the drive shaft in response to straight line motions exertedby a person. The recoil mechanism also includes a mounting sleevesecured to the drive shaft. On the mounting sleeve is the one-way clutchbearing. The outer race of the clutch bearing supports a rope wheel.Rotating the rope wheel in a first direction also rotates the mountingsleeve and the drive shaft. Rotating the rope wheel in the seconddirection has no effect on the mounting sleeve or drive shaft. A recoilspring biases the rope wheel to rotate in the second direction relativeto the mounting sleeve and drive shaft. A rope with a pull handle iswound on the rope wheel. The rope is wound such that pulling the pullhandle rotates the rope wheel in the first direction.

In operation, a person grasps the handle with one hand and the rope pullhandle with the other hand. He pulls the rope pull handle in a straightline motion with his hand, arm, and shoulder to rotate the auger. Uponreleasing the rope pull handle in an opposite straight line motion, therecoil spring rotates the rope wheel back to the starting position,rewinding the rope without manual effort and without effect on theauger.

Further in accordance with the present invention, more than one recoilmechanism may be incorporated into the recoil auger. Each recoilmechanism has its own rope wheel and clutch bearing. Different personspull respective rope pull handles, thereby increasing the speed andtorque that can be applied to the auger. The one-way clutch bearingsenable pulling and rewinding each rope independently of the other ropes.

To further increase the convenience of using the invention, a separatehandle may be incorporated into the recoil auger for each recoilmechanism.

It is a feature of the invention that the auger may be disconnected fromthe recoil drive system. For that purpose, the drive shaft constitutesthe separate recoil mechanism output shaft, which is disconnectable fromthe auger shaft. The free end of the output shaft is designed toselectively connect to and disconnect from the auger shaft. In thatmanner, the recoil auger of the invention may be broken down for easilytransportation.

The method and apparatus of the invention, using just straight linebi-directional motions by a person, thus enables holes to be drilled inan ergonomically satisfactory way. The probability of unsuccessfuloperation is remote, even though he may not have adequate strength togenerate forceful circular motions with his hand, arm, and shoulder.

Other advantages, benefits, and features of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detaileddescription of the invention and studying the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention in use at thestart of a pull stroke of the recoil mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the invention in use atthe end of a pull stroke.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along line3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a modified embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view on an enlarged scale of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention thatincorporates dual recoil mechanisms each with its own handle.

FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodimentof FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodimentsherein disclosed merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodiedin other specific structure. The scope of the invention is defined inthe claims appended hereto.

Looking first at FIG. 1, a recoil auger 1 is illustrated that includesthe present invention. The recoil auger 1 is particularly useful fordrilling holes in ice or earth, typically represented at referencenumeral 9. However, it will be understood that the invention is notlimited to outdoor related applications.

The particular recoil auger 1 illustrated is comprised of an auger 3connected to a manual recoil drive system 121. The auger 3 preferablyhas a sharpened end 6 opposite the recoil drive system 121. Operation ofthe recoil drive system causes rotation of the auger about alongitudinal axis 122 of the recoil auger to drill into the ice or earth9.

The auger 3 includes an auger shaft 11 around which is a helical band13. The auger sharpened end 6 may be in the form of a knife 15.

In the preferred embodiment, the recoil drive system 121 isdisconnectable from the auger 3. For that purpose, the auger shaft 11has a socket 107 that receives an end 109 of a separate recoil drivesystem output shaft 119, as will be explained shortly. A thumb screw 113is used to hold the shafts 11 and 119 to each other and concentric tothe longitudinal axis 122. In that manner, the recoil auger 1 can bebroken down for easy transportation.

The auger 3 is unidirectionally rotated by manual operation of therecoil drive system 121. Looking also at FIGS. 3 and 4, the recoil drivesystem comprises a housing 123 and a recoil mechanism 125. The housing123 includes a plate 124 and a tubular wall 126. Attached to the housingplate 124 is a handle 28. According to one aspect of the invention, thehandle 28 is constructed with a pair of plates 30 welded or otherwiseattached to the housing plate. A bar 32 is welded between two plates 30.

Received in the housing tubular wall 126 is a thrust bearing 127. Theinner race 128 of the thrust bearing 127 is fit over the output shaft119 to thereby guide the output shaft in the housing 123. A collar 129with a bolt and nut 131 positively holds the thrust bearing in place onthe output shaft.

The recoil mechanism 125 is assembled to the output shaft 119. For thatpurpose, a mounting sleeve 133 is secured to the output shaft, as by abolt and nut 135. A one-way clutch bearing 137 is assembled over themounting sleeve 133 and located against a shoulder 139 thereon. Anycommercially available clutch bearing of adequate construction andtorque capacity is suitable for the clutch bearing 137. An example of asuitable clutch bearing is a Model CSK25 marketed by Marland Clutch ofBurr Ridge, Ill. Fit over the outer race of the clutch bearing is aflange 141. A rope wheel 143 is fastened to the flange 141 byconventional fasteners, not shown. In the outer periphery of the ropewheel 143 is a groove 145. A rope 39 is wound around the rope wheelgroove 145. The rope 39 terminates in a rope pull handle 41.

There is a recoil spring 147 between the rope wheel 143 and the mountingsleeve 133. The recoil spring 147 hooks at one end 152 thereof to therope wheel, as to a rib 149. The other end 154 of the recoil springhooks to the mounting sleeve 133, such as in a slot 151.

The recoil spring 147, rope 39, and clutch bearing 137 are assembled ina definite relation to each other. The rope 39, is initially wound onthe rope wheel 143 with the recoil spring 147 in a relaxed condition.Looking especially at FIG. 4, the rope is wound on the rope wheel suchthat pulling the rope with a straight line motion 101 rotates the ropewheel in the direction of arrow 153 about the longitudinal axis 122.Pulling the rope to rotate the rope wheel winds the recoil spring. Uponreleasing the rope, under control, the bias of the wound recoil springrotates the rope wheel 143 in the direction of arrow 155 to rewind therope.

The clutch bearing 137 is assembled to the flange 141 and the mountingsleeve 133 such that rotating the rope wheel 143 in the direction ofarrow 153 also rotates the mounting sleeve, and hence the output shaft119, in the direction of arrow 153. Rotating the rope wheel in thedirection of arrow 155 has no effect on the mounting sleeve or outputshaft.

In operation, a person grasps the handle 28 of the recoil auger 1 withone hand 156, FIG. 1. With the other hand 158 he pulls the rope pullhandle 41 in a pull stroke with the straight line motion 101, FIG. 2.Doing so rotates the rope wheel 143 in the direction of arrow 153against the bias of the recoil spring 147 and also rotates the mountingsleeve 133, output shaft 119, and auger 3 because of the operation ofthe clutch bearing 137. At the end of the pull stroke, the personreleases the rope pull handle, under control, in the straight linemotion 103 in a return stroke. That action causes the recoil spring torotate the rope wheel and flange 141 in the direction of arrow 155 torewind the rope 39 on the rope wheel. During the return stroke, theclutch bearing 137 freewheels such that none of the rotating motion ofthe rope wheel and flange is imparted to the mounting sleeve.Consequently, the rotating rope wheel and flange in the direction ofarrow 155 has no effect on the mounting sleeve. As a result, the outputshaft and auger do not rotate during the return stroke. The cycle isrepeated as often as necessary until the desired hole is drilled by theauger.

It is an important feature of the invention that the auger 3 is rotatedabout the longitudinal axis 122 using only the bi-directional straightline motions 101 and 103 of the person's arm, hand, and shoulder. Theproblems associated with the multiple circular motions required forprior manual augers with offset handles is therefore eliminated. Evenpersons of modest strength are capable of drilling holes using thepresent invention.

As mentioned previously, the auger 3 is disconnectable from the recoildrive system 121 by means of the socket 107 and thumb screw 113. It willbe appreciated, of course, that the auger shaft 11 and the recoilmechanism output shaft 119 may be a single integral piece, if desired.

Turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, a recoil auger 157 has an auger 159 with ablade 161 and auger shaft 163 that may be substantially identical to thecorresponding components of the auger 3 of FIGS. 1 and 2. A recoil drivesystem 164 connects to the auger 159 by means of a socket 165 and thumbscrew 167 in the auger shaft 163. The recoil drive system 164 has ahousing 169, two recoil mechanisms 171 and 173, and an output shaft 175.The housing 169 includes a plate 170 that is rotatably mounted to theoutput shaft 175 in a manner similar to the thrust bearing 127 andcollar 129 of the recoil drive system 121 of FIGS. 1-4. The recoilmechanisms 171 and 173 may be identical. Further, they may be identicalto the recoil mechanism 125 of the recoil drive system 121 describedpreviously. They also operate the same, except that a different personpulls the rope pull handle of each recoil mechanism 171 and 173. Becauseof the clutch bearings, pulling on the rope of one or other recoilmechanism 171 or 173 has no effect on the operation of the other recoilmechanism. Thus, it is not necessary for the two persons to pull orrelease their respective pull handles simultaneously. It will beappreciated, of course, that three or even more recoil mechanisms can beincorporated into the recoil auger, if desired. The result of multiplerecoil mechanisms is a faster drilling of a hole by the auger 159.

To enable two or more persons to operate the recoil auger 157, thehousing 169 has a handle in the form of a circular gripping ring 177.Also see FIG. 6. The ring 177 includes spokes 179 that span to thehousing plate 170.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a recoil auger 181 having an auger 3′ that issubstantially identical to the auger 3 described above. A recoil drivesystem 183 connects to the auger 3′. The recoil drive system 183 has twosubstantially identical recoil mechanisms 185 and 185A each beingsubstantially identical to the recoil mechanism 171 described above, andan output shaft 175′. The recoil drive system 183 further has a housing123′, bearing 127′, and handle 28′ that are substantially identical tothe housing 123, bearing 127, and handle 28, respectively, describedpreviously in conjunction with FIG. 3. It will be appreciated, ofcourse, that a housing similar to the housing 169 of FIGS. 6 and 7 maybe substituted for the housing 123′ and handle 28′, if desired.

Between the recoil mechanisms 185 and 185A is a gripping ring 187. Thegripping ring 187 has a plate 189 with a tubular wall 191. A bearing 193is pressed into the wall 191 and over the output shaft 175′. The bearing193 is held in place by a collar 195 and bolt and nut 197. The plate 189may be configured like the plate 170, in that it has a circular grippingring and spokes analogous to the ring 177 and spokes 179 described inconjunction with FIG. 6.

In summary, the results and advantages of holes in ice and earth can nowbe more fully realized. The recoil auger with clutch bearing of theinvention provides both an ergonomically sound way to manually operatean auger as well as unidirectional rotation of the auger. This desirableresult comes from using the combined functions of the recoil drivesystem. The handle provides a good grip for a person's first hand. Therecoil mechanism rotates the auger in response to straight line motionsand of the person's second hand, arm, and shoulder. The person exertsthe straight line motions on the rope pull handle to selectively windand unwind the rope on the rope wheel. The clutch bearing 137 rotatesthe auger when the rope is pulled, but the clutch bearing freewheelsduring the rope return stroke. Dual recoil mechanisms enable two personsto simultaneously operate the recoil auger.

It will also be recognized that in addition to the superior performanceof the recoil auger of the invention, its construction is such as to beof modest cost in relation to the benefits it provides. Itsergonomically superior design more than compensates for any increasedcost relative to prior ergonomically unsatisfactory manual augers.

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance withthe invention, a recoil auger with clutch bearing that fully satisfiesthe objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the inventionhas been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, itis evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing;description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spiritand broad scope of the appended claims.

1. A recoil mechanism comprising: a. an output shaft adapted forconnection to a predetermined longitudinal shaft for manuallyunidirectionally rotating the predetermined shaft about a longitudinalaxis in response to a person exerting bi-directional straight linemotions with a first hand, arm, and shoulder of the person; b. a housingthat rotatably guides the output shaft; c. a rope wheel that rotates infirst and second directions; and d. a clutch bearing thatunidirectionally rotates the output shaft in response to rotation of therope wheel in the first and second directions, so that the output shaftrotates in the first direction when the rope wheel rotates in the firstdirection, and the output shaft is stationary when the rope wheelrotates in the second direction.
 2. The recoil mechanism of claim 1wherein the housing comprises a housing plate, and wherein a handle isattached to the housing plate, so that the person can grasp the handlewith a second hand, and exert the straight line motions with the firsthand, arm, and shoulder.
 3. The recoil mechanism of claim 2 wherein thehousing comprises a circular ring that enables multiple persons to graspthe handle.
 4. A recoil mechanism adapted for connection to apredetermined shaft for manually unidirectionally rotating the shaftabout a longitudinal axis in response to a person exertingbi-directional straight line motions with a first hand, arm, andshoulder of the person, wherein the recoil mechanism comprises: a. anoutput shaft connected to the shaft; b. a plurality of recoil mechanismsconnected to the output shaft each including a rope wheel that rotatesin first and second directions, the output shaft rotating in the firstdirection in response to any rope wheel rotating in the first direction,the output shaft being stationary in response to no rope wheel rotatingin the first direction; and c. a plurality of housings each graspable bya different person, so that the recoil mechanism is operable by aplurality of persons each grasping a respective housing.
 5. A method ofrotating a shaft comprising the steps of: a. providing a shaft; b.providing a recoil drive system having an output shaft; c. connectingthe shaft to the output shaft; d. exerting a first motion on the recoildrive system in a first straight line direction and rotating the shaftin a first rotational direction; e. exerting a second motion on therecoil drive system in a second straight line direction opposite thefirst straight line direction without rotating the shaft; f. assemblingfirst and second recoil mechanisms to the output shaft; g. assemblingfirst and second handles to the output shaft; h. grasping the firsthandle and exerting the first and second motions on the first recoilmechanism; and i. grasping the second handle and exerting the first andsecond motions on the second recoil mechanism.
 6. The method of claim 5wherein: a. the step of providing a recoil drive system comprises thestep of providing a recoil drive system having a handle; and b. thesteps of exerting the first and second motions comprise the steps ofgrasping the handle with a first hand, and exerting the first and secondmotions with a second hand.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein: a. thestep of providing a recoil drive system comprises the step of providingthe recoil drive system with a rope wheel and a clutch bearing; and b.the step of exerting the first motion comprises the step of rotating therope wheel in a first rotational direction and causing the clutchbearing to rotate the output shaft in the first rotational direction. 8.The method of claim 7 wherein the step of exerting the second motioncomprises the steps of rotating the rope wheel in a second rotationaldirection, and enabling the output shaft to be stationary duringrotation of the rope wheel in the second rotational direction.
 9. Amethod manually unidirectionally rotating a shaft about a longitudinalaxis in response to a person exerting bi-directional straight linemotions with a first hand, arm, and shoulder of the person comprisingthe steps of: a. providing a shaft; b. providing a recoil drive systemhaving an output shaft; c. connecting the shaft to the output shaft,wherein the step of connecting the shaft to the output shaft comprisesthe step of providing a housing, and guiding the output shaft in thehousing; d. exerting a first motion on the recoil drive system in afirst straight line direction and rotating the shaft in a firstrotational direction; and e. exerting a second motion on the recoildrive system in a second straight line direction opposite the firststraight line direction without rotating the shaft.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein the step of providing a recoil drive system comprisesthe step of assembling multiple recoil mechanisms to the output shaft;and wherein the step of exerting the first motion comprises the stepexerting the first motion on each of the recoil mechanisms.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 wherein: a. the step of assembling multiple recoilmechanisms comprises the step of providing a rope wheel for each recoilmechanism; b. the step of exerting the first motion comprises the stepof exerting the first motion on each rope wheel and thereby rotating theoutput shaft in the first rotational direction; and c. the step ofexerting the second motion comprises the steps of rotating the ropewheels in the second rotational direction, and enabling the output shaftto be stationary.
 12. The method of claim 10 comprising the furthersteps of: a. providing a handle on the output shaft; b. grasping thehandle by multiple persons; and c. exerting the first motion on each ofthe multiple recoil mechanisms by the respective multiple persons.